Prepare a model for sculpting in mudbox

Mudbox works with polygonal models that you create in other 3D modeling applications and then import. Unless you are using one of the pre-made polygonal meshes supplied with Mudbox, you must first create a polygonal model using another 3D polygonal modeling application, export the model either using the .fbx or .obj file formats, and then import it to Mudbox. For more information on these formats, see Model file formats.

Feature CriteriaUV Texture CoordinatesKeep in mind how your desired workflow in Mudbox can impact the creation/layout of UVs in the original 3D modeling application. For example, if you plan to sculpt a model in Mudbox and extract either a Normal or Displacement map of the sculpted detail so it can be applied to a low resolution or arbitrary mesh for use in another application, ensure that the polygonal model has UVs, and that the UVs are non-overlapping. Many 3D applications have UV editing capabilities that let you check for and correct overlapping UVs. You can also import UVs for the model afterwards. If you plan to perform texture painting on a symmetrical model within Mudbox, you may want the UVs to be laid out in the 3D modeling application so that they do fully overlap to allow for symmetrical textures to be created in Mudbox. For more information, see UVs overview.Quads or N-gon facesIt is recommended that you sculpt polygon models using four-sided polygons (quads). Three-sided and n-sided polygons are fully supported, but some visual artifacts can appear when three-sided regions of the model are subdivided to higher levels. Regions of a model where the edge valency (the number of edges coming out of a vertex) is high may produce a pole effect that appears as a gathering of vertices which may prove difficult to smooth when sculpting. It is suggested that these areas be remodeled to reposition the pole to a different or more inconspicuous location. Size and shape of polygon facesThe polygonal faces on the model should be of equal size and shape so they create smaller regions that are of equal size and shape and hold detail well when subdivided. When some faces are longer or wider, the sculpted detail can also be uneven or distorted by comparison. Edge loop/ring flowThe initial distribution and layout of edge loops and edge rings on the imported model has an impact on sculpting. A good practice is to create a model specifically for sculpting rather than sculpt on the model that was specifically constructed for animation. While a model can be constructed in a way to anticipate its use for rigging or animation or particular visual features, this can limit options for sculpting features or making design changes downstream. DetailIdeally, a model that you want to subsequently sculpt in Mudbox should be modeled without specific detail (unless you are using Mudbox to enhance or complete a model that has already been well defined). That is, it is usually easier to define specific low and high resolution features within Mudbox (and iterate them) if they haven’t already been defined within the model you want to import. For an example of low detail models, refer to the sculpt templates in the Create > Mesh menu. Location of model in X, Y, Z If you want to perform symmetrical sculpting operations on the model, ensure the model is positioned at the center of the 3D View in X, Y, Z (0, 0, 0) before you begin sculpting.